Review: Rhodia Webnotebook

[Update (07.03.08 11:40 am EDT): Typo corrected. I saw 'no notable bleed-thru.' Thanks, Eric, for catching that!]

I was VERY glad to get the Rhodia Large Webnotebook in my hands last week, and I can't reveal my sources. I understand that as of now these are not yet formally available in the U.S. ;-)
(Be sure to see some of the good pics at the official Rhodia Webnotebook site.)

The catalyst for this review was the fine work and review of the Rhodia Webnotebook at Black Cover. I agree, the name is rather awkward.

The first thing that struck me was the material of the cover. Whereas the Moleskine material is like oilcloth or something similar, the Webnotebook almost feels somewhat 'rubbery' for lack of a better word. I wouldn't have guessed that I would like that, but I really do. Rhodia describes the cover material as 'leatherette.' The notebook also has an integrated cloth bookmark and elastic band. It's lined/ruled which I prefer, instead of blank or quadrille.

Note: click on any pics to see full-size.

The first thing I noticed is the cellophane and the fact that the orange sash goes all the way around the outside of the journal, not just the cover.








Here's the inside cover and the ubiquitous hidden rear pocket. I like the 'webbing' fabric that makes up the accordion part of the pocket.





My favorite part might be the 'rubbery' material that makes the cover. And I love the embossed/debossed Rhodia logo. The front and rear view ...






It's definitely still a hard-cover notebook and not particularly flexible, if that's what you're looking for.

Let's take a look at the binding. It does indeed lay flat.







Here's what most of us care about. How well does this paper take various inks? You can see the different pens and pencils that I used. The pic that follows shows the reverse of the page. I'm happy to report no notable bleed-thru. I would say that in this regard the Rhodia performs at least as well as recent Moleskines I've used. Note: click on the pics to see full-size.





I don't have a pic of it here, but there is a small Rhodia logo in the bottom-right corner of each page. Several of the commenters of the Black Cover review were upset by this but it really doesn't bother me.

Be sure to see some of the good pics at the official Rhodia Webnotebook site.

In summary, I REALLY like this notebook and hope they are imported to the U.S. In the meantime, you can get them from the U.K. at The Writing Desk.

Here's one in orange. And here too.

See previous notebook/journals reviews ...
In the last month or two I've looked at journals made in the U.S. (Field Notes), Spain (Miquelrius), and Italy (Stifflexible), as well as:
Rhodia & Clairefontaine Journals, and J. Herbin Inks
Burger King Indiana Jones Journal w/ Invisible Ink